Information sending method, information receiving method, apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a method for sending information, a method for receiving information, an apparatus and a system, herein the method for sending information includes the following steps: a sending end using Downlink Control Information (DCI)/Uplink Control Information (UCI) to describe information about time that an unlicensed carrier is occupied; and the sending end sending the DCI/UCI information through an licensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier. Through the present document, the problem of how to enable base stations to mutually inform about an occupation situation of the unlicensed carrier is solved, the coordination and utilization of the unlicensed carriers in a wireless communication system are facilitated the utilization rate of the unlicensed carriers is improved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present document relates to the field of communication, inparticular to a method for sending information, a method for receivinginformation, an apparatus and a system.

BACKGROUND

Up to now, as everybody knows, LTE is deployed in licensed carriers foroperation. However, with the evolution of LTE, in the second half yearof 2013, some companies (e.g., America Qualcomm Incorporated) putforward a suggestion of studying a subject of deploying LTE onunlicensed carriers. However, up to now, the suggestion has not beenaccepted by LTE and no project has been set up.

A reason, provided by Qualcomm Incorporated, for setting up a project ismainly that, with the quick increase of data service, in the nearfuture, licensed spectrums cannot bear such huge data volume. Therefore,it is suggested to deploy LTE in unlicensed spectrums, so as to sharedata flow in licensed carriers through the unlicensed spectrums.

Moreover, the unlicensed spectrums also have many advantages. Forexample, the unlicensed spectrums have the following features andadvantages:

1. free/low expense (the unlicensed spectrums do not need to bepurchased and the spectrum resources are zero-cost);

2. low admission requirement and low cost (individuals and enterprisesmay participate in deployment and devices of device providers may berandomly selected);

3. resource sharing (when a plurality of different systems operatetherein or different operators of the same system operate therein, someresource sharing modes may be considered to improve spectrumefficiency);

4. numerous radio access technologies (it is difficult to realizecollaboration across different communication standards and networktopologies are diversified);

5. numerous radio access websites (the number of users is great, thecollaboration difficulty is great and the centralized managementoverhead is great);

6. numerous applications (according to information, multiple servicessuch as Machine to Machine (M2) and Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) arementioned to be capable of operating therein).

The above-mentioned basic features decide that the unlicensed spectrumsmay be an important evolution direction of radio communication systems,but many problems exist at the same time. For example, various systemsexist in the unlicensed spectrums, it is difficult to realizecoordination and the interference is serious.

If an LTE system operates on an unlicensed carrier, there is a problemhow an LTE base station informs other nearby base stations when the LTEbase station seizes an unlicensed carrier resource.

Aiming at the problem of how to enable base stations to mutually informabout an occupation situation of the unlicensed carrier, up to now noeffective solution has already been put forward.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present document provide a method for sendinginformation, a method for receiving information, an apparatus and asystem, so as to at least solve the problem of how to enable basestations to mutually inform about an occupation situation of theunlicensed carrier.

According to one embodiment of the present document, the presentdocument provides a method for sending information, including: a sendingend using Downlink Control Information (DCI)/Uplink Control Information(UCI) to describe information about time that an unlicensed carrier isoccupied; and the sending end sending the DCI/UCI information through anlicensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier.

The sending end using the DCI/UCI information to describe theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied includesone of the following: the sending end using the DCI information todescribe information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedby the sending end; and the sending end using the DCI/UCI information todescribe information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedby other sending ends.

The sending end using the DCI information to describe the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by the sending endincludes: under a situation that the sending end is a base station, thesending end simultaneously sending a Primary Synchronization Signal(PSS)/Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) and a Physical BroadcastChannel (PBCH), and a demodulation signal Cell-specific Reference Signal(CRS) or a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) needed by a PhysicalControl Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) and a Physical DownlinkControl Channel (PDCCH)/an Enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) in the unlicensedcarrier; or the sending end ensuring that the unlicensed carrier isstrictly aligned to the licensed carrier of the sending end; or thesending end sending the DCI information in the unlicensed carrieraccording to timing of the licensed carrier of the sending end.

The sending end sending the DCI information in the unlicensed carrieraccording to the timing of the licensed carrier of the sending endincludes: under a situation that there are a plurality of licensedcarriers of a receiving end, the sending end in the unlicensed carrierbeing strictly aligned to timing of at least one of the plurality oflicensed carriers.

The sending end in the unlicensed carrier being strictly aligned to thetiming of at least one of the plurality of licensed carriers includes:the sending end in the unlicensed carrier being strictly aligned totiming of a carrier of a minimum frequency point possessed by thesending end.

The sending end sending the DCI/UCI information through the licensedcarrier or the unlicensed carrier includes: the sending end sending theDCI/UCI information in a downlink carrier or an uplink carrier of thelicensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier.

The sending end sending the DCI information through the licensed carrieror the unlicensed carrier includes: the sending end sending the DCIinformation through a PDCCH/ePDCCH of the licensed carrier or theunlicensed carrier or on an agreed resource.

The sending end using the DCI information to describe the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied includes at least oneof the following: the sending end using a PDCCH in first one, two, threeor four OFDM symbols of a subframe to bear the information about time;the sending end using a PDCCH in an OFDM symbol of a second slot of asubframe to bear the information about time; and the sending end using apreset resource location of a subframe to bear the information abouttime.

The method further includes: under a situation that an uplink and adownlink share the same one carrier, the information about time includesdownlink sending time occupied by the sending end and uplink receivingtime of the sending end; or the information about time includes thedownlink sending time occupied by the sending end and does not includethe uplink receiving time of the sending end; or the information abouttime includes the downlink sending time occupied by the sending end andpartial uplink receiving time of the sending end.

The sending end using the DCI information to describe the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied further includes: thesending end indicating a location for bearing the information about timethrough a PCFICH channel.

The sending end sending the DCI/UCI information through the licensedcarrier or the unlicensed carrier includes: under a situation that thesending end is a base station, the sending end using an ePDCCH channelin a Physical Resource Block (PRB) at an agreed carrier location to sendthe DCI.

The sending end using the DCI information to describe the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied includes: the sendingend indicating, in a current subframe, whether a next subframe will beused by the sending end.

The sending end using the DCI information to describe the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied includes: the sendingend using the DCI information according to a preset DCI format to bearthe information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied.

The preset DCI format includes at least one of the following: DCI format3, 3A, 1C and DCI format corresponding to a unique bit number.

The sending end sending the DCI/UCI information through the licensedcarrier or the unlicensed carrier includes: the sending end using anagreed Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) to scramble the DCIinformation, and sending the DCI information in a common search space ofa PDCCH/ePDCCH or in an agreed resource.

The information about time is described by taking a subframe as a unit,or described by taking an OFDM symbol as a unit or described by taking aslot as a unit.

The information about time being described by taking the subframe as theunit, or described by taking the OFDM symbol as the unit or described bytaking the slot as the unit includes: the information about timedescribing a subframe, an OFDM symbol or a slot which will be occupiedby the sending end or other sending ends.

The information about time describing the subframe which will beoccupied by the sending end or other sending ends includes at least oneof the following: the information about time describing that a pluralityof continuous subframes starting from a current subframe are occupied;the information about time describing a number of subframes which arecontinuously occupied starting from a certain frame; and the informationabout time describing the patterns of subframes which will be occupied.

The information about time describing the pattern of the subframes whichwill be occupied includes: if a maximum number of subframes which areallowable to be occupied at one time is N and N is less than or equal toa bit number of DCI, using first N bits in DCI to describe subframesoccupied by the sending end or other sending ends in a bitmap mode.

The information about time further includes: information about frequencyoccupied in the unlicensed carrier occupied by the sending end, hereinthe information about frequency includes at least one of the following:Physical Resource Block (PRB) information, subcarrier information andbandwidth information.

The sending end using the DCI information to describe the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied includes: the sendingend sending the DCI information describing the information about time ineach occupied subframe.

The sending end sending the DCI information describing the informationabout time in each occupied subframe includes: the DCI informationdescribing information about current remaining occupied subframes.

The sending end using the DCI information to describe the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied includes: the sendingend sending the DCI information describing the information about time ina first occupied subframe.

Contents of the DCI information include at least one of the following: abit indicating a mode of describing the information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied in the DCI information; and a bitdescribing the information about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied.

Contents of the DCI information include at least one of the following: abit indicating a resource seizure mode described in the DCI, herein theresource seizure mode includes a bitmap mode or a continuous seizuremode; and a bit indicating a resource seizure moment described in theDCI, herein the resource seizure moment includes starting from a currentsubframe or starting from a next subframe.

The sending end sending the DCI/UCI information through the licensedcarrier or the unlicensed carrier includes: using different common RNTIsto indicate a location of a bit describing a resource seizure mode inthe DCI, herein the resource seizure mode includes a bitmap mode or acontinuous seizure mode; and/or using different common RNTIs to indicatea location of a bit describing a resource seizure moment in the DCI,herein the resource seizure moment includes starting from a currentsubframe or starting from a next subframe.

The information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedrefers to information describing length of time that the unlicensedcarrier is seized by the sending end in order to execute datatransmission for one time.

The sending end using the DCI/UCI information to describe theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied includes:the sending end using all bits or part of bits in the DCI/UCI todescribe the information about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied.

The sending end includes: a base station, a relay station and terminal,UE.

According to another embodiment of the present document, the presentdocument provides a method for receiving information, including: areceiving end monitoring Downlink Control Information (DCI)/UplinkControl Information (UCI) of an unlicensed carrier, herein the DCI/UCIinformation is used by the receiving end to acquire information abouttime that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by a proximal sending end.

After the receiving end monitoring the DCI/UCI information of theunlicensed carrier, the method further includes: the receiving enddetermining a use policy of the unlicensed carrier according to theinformation about time.

The receiving end determining the use policy of the unlicensed carrieraccording to the information about time includes at least one of thefollowing: the receiving end determining whether to continuously occupythe unlicensed carrier according to the information about time; thereceiving end determining a scheduling policy of subordinate terminal UEaccording to the information about time; when the receiving end needs touse the unlicensed carrier, determining that the unlicensed carrier isnot used by other base stations according to the information about time,or the unlicensed carrier is used by other base stations but the use ofthe unlicensed carrier by the receiving end is not influenced; and undera situation that the receiving end receives information about time,forwarded by subordinate UE or a small cell, that the unlicensed carrieris occupied by a proximal base station, the receiving end determiningwhether a beamforming technology is used for the UE or the small cell totransmit data according to the information about time.

The receiving end monitoring the DCI/UCI information of the unlicensedcarrier includes: under a situation that the receiving end is a basestation, the receiving end respectively performing synchronization atdifferent licensed frequency points and acquiring a cell identity of thesending end which sends the DCI; and the receiving end receiving aPhysical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) and a PhysicalDownlink Control Channel (PDCCH) according to the cell identity, or notreceiving the PCFICH but directly receiving an Enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH)to acquire the DCI; or under a situation that the receiving end is UE,the receiving end respectively performing synchronization at differentlicensed frequency points and acquiring a cell identity of the sendingend which sends the DCI; and the receiving end receiving a PCFICH and aPDCCH according to the cell identity, or not receiving the PCFICH butdirectly receiving an ePDCCH to acquire the DCI, and informing a basestation, to which the UE belongs, about the DCI through UCI or RadioResource Control (RRC) signaling.

The receiving end monitoring the DCI information of the unlicensedcarrier includes: the receiving end receiving a Primary SynchronizationSignal (PSS)/Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) and a PhysicalBroadcast Channel (PBCH) of a sending-end base station, and thenreceiving a PCFICH and a PDCCH/ePDCCH; or the receiving end beingsynchronized with an licensed carrier; the receiving end determining alocation of the DCI sent in the unlicensed carrier according to timingof the licensed carrier; and the receiving end receiving the DCIinformation according to the location of the DCI.

The receiving end monitoring the DCI/UCI information of the unlicensedcarrier includes at least one of the following: the receiving endreceiving the information about time through a PDCCH in first one, two,three or four OFDM symbols of a subframe; the receiving end receivingthe information about time through a PDCCH in an OFDM symbol of a secondslot of a subframe; and the receiving end receiving the informationabout time through a PDCCH/ePDCCH at a preset resource location of asubframe.

The receiving end monitoring the DCI information of the unlicensedcarrier includes: the receiving end receiving the information about timeon a PDCCH/ePDCCH of the unlicensed carrier or on an agreed resourceaccording to an agreed DCI format.

Before the receiving end receiving the information about time on thePDCCH/ePDCCH of the unlicensed carrier or on the agreed resourceaccording to the agreed DCI format, the method further includes: thereceiving end determining information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by other base stations according to a bit in theDCI; or the receiving end determining a location and/or meaning of a bitdescribing the information about time in the DCI according to a bit inthe DCI.

The receiving end monitoring the DCI/UCI information of the unlicensedcarrier includes: if the receiving end receives the DCI/UCI informationin an uplink carrier of the unlicensed carrier, determining that theDCI/UCI information describes information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by other base stations proximal to the sending end.

The receiving end monitoring the DCI/UCI information of the unlicensedcarrier includes: the receiving end determining an occupation situationof the unlicensed carrier in a mode of monitoring the DCI/UCIinformation subframe by subframe in the unlicensed carrier; or afterother base stations occupy a first subframe of the unlicensed carrier toreceive the DCI/UCI information to obtain the information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied, the receiving end notmonitoring the DCI information until occupation of the unlicensedcarrier is ended.

The information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedrefers to information describing length of time that the unlicensedcarrier is seized by the sending end in order to execute datatransmission for one time.

The receiving end includes: a base station, a relay station and terminalUE.

According to another embodiment of the present document, the presentdocument provides an apparatus for sending information located at asending end, including: a description module configured to use DCI/UCIto describe information about time that an unlicensed carrier isoccupied; and a sending module configured to send the DCI/UCIinformation through an licensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier.

The information about time is described by taking a subframe as a unit,or described by taking an OFDM symbol as a unit or described by taking aslot as a unit.

The information about time being described by taking the subframe as theunit, or described by taking the OFDM symbol as the unit or described bytaking the slot as the unit includes: the information about timedescribing a subframe, an OFDM symbol or a slot which will be occupiedby the sending end or other sending ends.

The information about time describing the subframe which will beoccupied by the sending end or other sending ends includes at least oneof the following: the information about time describing that a pluralityof continuous subframes starting from a current subframe are occupied;the information about time describing a number of subframes which arecontinuously occupied starting from a certain frame; and the informationabout time describing the patterns of subframes which will be occupied.

The information about time further includes: information about frequencyoccupied in the unlicensed carrier occupied by the sending end, hereinthe information about frequency includes at least one of the following:Physical Resource Block (PRB) information, subcarrier information andbandwidth information.

According to another embodiment of the present document, the presentdocument provides an apparatus for receiving information located at areceiving end, including: a monitoring module configured to monitorDCI/UCI information of an unlicensed carrier, herein the DCI/UCIinformation is used by the receiving end to acquire information abouttime that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by a proximal sending end.

The monitoring module includes: an acquisition unit configured to, undera situation that the receiving end is a base station, respectivelyperform synchronization at different licensed frequency points andacquire a cell identity of the sending end which sends the DCI; and thereceving end receives a Physical Control Format Indicator Channel(PCFICH) and a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) according tothe cell identity, or not receive the PCFICH but directly receive anEnhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) to acquire the DCI; or under a situation thatthe receiving end is UE, respectively perform synchronization atdifferent licensed frequency points and acquire a cell identity of thesending end which sends the DCI; and receive a PCFICH and a PDCCHaccording to the cell identity, or not receive the PCFICH but directlyreceive an ePDCCH to acquire the DCI, and inform a base station, towhich the UE belongs, about the DCI through UCI or Radio ResourceControl (RRC) signaling.

According to another embodiment of the present document, the presentdocument provides a system for sending information, including theapparatus for sending information, and further including the apparatusfor receiving information.

Through the embodiments of the present document, by adopting the methodthat the sending end uses the DCI/UCI information to describe theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied; and thesending end sends the DCI/UCI information through the licensed carrieror the unlicensed carrier, the problem of how to enable base stations tomutually inform about an occupation situation of the unlicensed carrieris solved, the coordination and utilization of the unlicensed carriersin a wireless communication system are facilitated and the utilizationrate of the unlicensed carriers is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings described here are used for providing further understandingabout the present document and constitute a part of the presentdocument. The exemplary embodiments of the present document and thedescription thereof are used for explaining the present document insteadof improperly limiting the present document. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method for sending informationaccording to the embodiment of the present document.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for receiving informationaccording to the embodiment of the present document.

FIG. 3 illustrates a structural diagram of an apparatus for sendinginformation according to the embodiment of the present document.

FIG. 4 illustrates a structural diagram of an apparatus for receivinginformation according to the embodiment of the present document.

FIG. 5 illustrates a structural diagram of a system for sendinginformation according to the embodiment of the present document.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart 1 of a sending end according to theembodiment of the present document.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart 2 of a sending end according to theembodiment of the present document.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a receiving end according to theembodiment of the present document.

DETAILED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present document will be described below in detail with reference tothe drawings in combination with the embodiments. It needs to be statedthat the embodiments in the present application and the features in theembodiments may be mutually combined under the situation of no conflict.

In consideration of the above-mentioned problem, in this embodiment, thesignaling design and sending method for informing is provided.

In this embodiment, a method for sending information is provided. FIG. 1illustrates a flowchart of a method for sending information according tothe embodiment of the present document. As illustrated in FIG. 1, themethod includes the following steps:

In step S102, a sending end uses Downlink Control Information(DCI)/Uplink Control Information (UCI) to describe information abouttime that an unlicensed carrier is occupied. According to the control ofunlicensed carriers in Europe, for example, EN 301893 of ETSI, when thesending end uses an unlicensed carrier to transmit data at each time,the channel busy/idle detection is performed, and when the channel isidle, the channel can be used by the sending end and maximum time thatthe channel can be used at each time is given. Information aboutoccupied time refers to information describing length of time that theunlicensed carrier is seized by the sending end in order to execute datatransmission for one time. Herein, all bits or part of bits in DCI orUCI may be used to describe the information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied. When part of bits are used to describethe information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied,remaining bits are reserved for other purposes or are used as reservedbits to keep a total bit number for a DCI format unchanged.

In step S104, the sending end sends the DCI/UCI information through anlicensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier.

In this embodiment, through the above-mentioned steps, the sending enddescribes the information about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied through DCI/UCI information (which may also become signaling)and sends the DCI/UCI information through the licensed carrier or theunlicensed carrier, and thus the share of the information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied by the sending end is realized,the problem of how to enable base stations to mutually inform about anoccupation situation of the unlicensed carrier is solved, thecoordination and utilization of the unlicensed carriers in a wirelesscommunication system are facilitated and the utilization rate of theunlicensed carriers is improved.

Alternatively, if the sending end is a base station, the base stationmay use the DCI information to describe information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied by the base station or other basestations; or if the sending end is User Equipment (UE) or a small cellsubordinate to the base station, the UE or the small cell may use theUCI/DCI information (may also use other signaling such as Radio ResourceControl (RRC) signaling) to describe the information about time, whichis learned by the UE or the small cell, that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied by other sending ends, and sends the information about time tothe base station to which the UE or the small cell belongs.

Alternatively, under a situation that the sending end is a base station,the sending end may simultaneously send a Primary Synchronization Signal(PSS)/Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) and a Physical BroadcastChannel (PBCH), and a demodulation signal Cell-specific Reference Signal(CRS) or a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) needed by a PhysicalControl Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) and a Physical DownlinkControl Channel (PDCCH)/an Enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) in the unlicensedcarrier; or the sending end ensures that the unlicensed carrier isstrictly aligned to the licensed carrier of the sending end and then thesending end sends the DCI information in the unlicensed carrieraccording to timing of the licensed carrier of the sending end.

Alternatively, if there are a plurality of licensed carriers of areceiving end, the sending end in the unlicensed carrier may be strictlyaligned to timing of at least one of the plurality of licensed carriers.Herein, as an implementation mode, the sending end in the unlicensedcarrier may be strictly aligned to timing of a carrier of a minimumfrequency point possessed by the sending end.

Alternatively, the sending end may send the DCI/UCI information in adownlink carrier or an uplink carrier of the licensed carrier or theunlicensed carrier. Herein, for the downlink carrier, the sending endmay send the DCI information through a PDCCH/ePDCCH of the licensedcarrier or the unlicensed carrier or on an agreed resource.Alternatively, under a situation that an uplink and a downlink share thesame one carrier (e.g., in case of Time Division Duplexing (TDD) LTE),when the sending end uses the DCI/UCI to describe the information aboutoccupied time, the information about time includes downlink sending timeoccupied by the sending end and uplink receiving time of the sendingend; or the information about time includes the downlink sending timeoccupied by the sending end and does not include the uplink receivingtime of the sending end (for the uplink receiving time, thecorresponding sending end sends the information about occupied time); orthe information about time includes the downlink sending time occupiedby the sending end and partial uplink receiving time of the sending end(for other uplink receiving time, the corresponding sending end sendsthe information about occupied time). Moreover, generally a fixed framestructure is defined in an LTE TDD system. For example, frame length is10 ms and includes 10 subframes, herein downlink subframes and uplinkframes are agreed, different uplink-downlink configurations are dividedaccording to data of the uplink and downlink subframes and differentlocations in frames, and each configuration proportion has an agreedserial number. Therefore, for the LTE TDD system, the information aboutoccupied time may also be information describing the serial number ofthe agreed uplink-downlink configuration proportion (or informationdescribing the uplink-downlink configuration proportion). According tothe serial number information or the configuration proportioninformation, in combination with the agreed standard protocol, thereceiving end may learn about numbers and corresponding locations ofuplink subframes and downlink subframes specifically occupied by thesending end.

Alternatively, under a situation that the sending end is a base station,the base station may use a PDCCH in first one, two, three or fourOrthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a subframeto bear the information about time; or the base station may also use aPDCCH in an OFDM symbol of a second slot of a subframe to bear theinformation about time; or the base station may also use a presetresource location of a subframe to bear the information about time.

Alternatively, the sending end may indicate a location for bearing theinformation about time through a PCFICH channel.

Alternatively, if the sending end is a base station, the sending end mayuse an ePDCCH channel in a Physical Resource Block (PRB) at an agreedcarrier location to send the DCI.

Alternatively, the sending end may indicate, in a current subframe,whether a next subframe will be used by the sending end, or indicatethat a plurality of continuous subframes are occupied in an initialfirst subframe. Herein, incomplete subframes are included.

Alternatively, the sending end may use the DCI information according toa preset DCI format to bear the information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied. Herein, as an implementation mode, thepreset DCI format includes but not limited to at least one of thefollowing: DCI format 3, 3A, 1C and DCI format corresponding to a uniquebit number.

Alternatively, the sending end may use an agreed Radio Network TemporaryIdentifier (RNTI) to scramble the DCI information, and send theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied in acommon search space of a PDCCH/ePDCCH or in an agreed resource.Alternatively, for DCI bits containing the information about time thatthe unlicensed carrier is occupied, the sending end adds a CyclicRedundancy Check (CRS) bit and uses an agreed RNTI to scramble the CRCbit.

Alternatively, the information about time may be described by taking asubframe as a unit, or may be described by taking an OFDM symbol as aunit or may also be described by taking a slot as a unit. Herein, underthe situation that the description is performed by taking the subframe,OFDM or slot as the unit, the information about time may be used todescribe a subframe, an OFDM symbol or a slot which will be occupied bythe sending end or other sending ends.

Alternatively, in a time direction, the sending end in a first occupiedsubframe uses a bit in an agreed DCI format or UCI format to describethe information about time occupied by the sending end or other sendingends, including but not limited to at least one of the following: theinformation about time describes that a plurality of continuoussubframes starting from a current subframe are occupied; the informationabout time describes the number of subframes which are continuouslyoccupied starting from a certain frame; and the information about timedescribes the patterns of subframes, which will be occupied, insubframes. The information about time may also further includeinformation about frequency (e.g., Physical Resource Block (PRB)information, subcarrier information and bandwidth information)specifically occupied in the unlicensed carrier occupied by the sendingend. (In a carrier direction, a first subframe occupied in theunlicensed carrier may be used and a subframe of an licensed carrier, intime, aligned thereto may also be used.)

Alternatively, the operation that the information about time describesthe pattern of the subframes which will be occupied includes: if amaximum number of subframes which are allowable to be occupied at onetime is N and N is less than or equal to the bit number of DCI, first Nbits in DCI are used to describe subframes occupied by the sending endor other sending ends in a bitmap mode.

Alternatively, the sending end may send the DCI information describingthe information about time in each occupied subframe. As animplementation mode, the DCI information may only describe informationabout current remaining occupied subframes. For example, if fivesubframes in addition to the current subframe need to be occupied, fivesubframes are displayed in the current subframe, four subframes may bedisplayed in a next subframe, and so on.

Or, as another implementation mode, the sending end may also send theDCI information describing the information about time only in a firstoccupied subframe. Alternatively, contents of the DCI information mayinclude but not limited to at least one of the following: a bitindicating a mode of describing the information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied in the DCI information; and a bitdescribing the information about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied.

Alternatively, contents of the DCI information may further include butnot limited to at least one of the following: a bit indicating aresource seizure mode described in the DCI, herein the resource seizuremode includes a bitmap mode, a continuous seizure mode, etc.; and a bitindicating a resource seizure moment described in the DCI, herein theresource seizure moment includes starting from a current subframe orstarting from a next subframe.

Alternatively, the sending end may also indicate the resource seizuremode and/or resource seizure moment not in the bit content of the DCIinformation, e.g., may use different common RNTIs to indicate a locationof a bit describing a resource seizure mode in the DCI; and/or usedifferent common RNTIs to indicate a location of a bit describing aresource seizure moment in the DCI.

Alternatively, the sending end may include a base station, a relaystation or a UE.

In this embodiment, a method for receiving information is furtherprovided. FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for receivinginformation according to the embodiment of the present document. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the method includes the following steps:

In step S202, a receiving end monitors DCI/UCI information of anunlicensed carrier, herein the DCI/UCI information is used by thereceiving end to acquire information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by a proximal sending end.

In this embodiment, through the above-mentioned step, the receiving endmonitors the DCI/UCI information to obtain the information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied by the proximal sending end, andthe receiving end realizes the acquisition of the information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied, thus the use policy of theunlicensed carrier can be determined according to the information abouttime, the problem of how to enable base stations to mutually informabout an occupation situation of the unlicensed carrier s solved, thecoordination and utilization of the unlicensed carriers in a wirelesscommunication system are facilitated and the utilization rate of theunlicensed carriers is improved.

Alternatively, a method that the receiving end determines the use policyof the unlicensed carrier according to the information about time mayinclude but not limited to at least one of the following operations: thereceiving end determines whether to continuously occupy the unlicensedcarrier according to the information about time; the receiving enddetermines a scheduling policy of subordinate UE according to theinformation about time; when the receiving end needs to use theunlicensed carrier, the receiving end determines that the unlicensedcarrier is not used by other base stations according to the informationabout time, or the unlicensed carrier is used by other base stations butthe use of the unlicensed carrier by the receiving end is notinfluenced; and under a situation that the receiving end receivesinformation about time, forwarded by a subordinate UE or a small cell,that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by a proximal base station, thereceiving end determines whether a beamforming technology is used forthe UE or the small cell to transmit data according to the informationabout time.

Alternatively, a method that the receiving end monitors the DCI/UCIinformation may include the following operations:

-   -   under a situation that the receiving end is a base station, the        base station respectively performs synchronization at different        licensed frequency points and acquires a cell identity (cell ID)        of the sending end which sends the DCI; and then it receives a        PCFICH and a PDCCH according to the cell identity, or does not        receive the PCFICH but directly receives an ePDCCH to acquire        the DCI; or

under a situation that the receiving end is UE, the UE respectivelyperforms synchronization at different licensed frequency points andacquiring a cell identity (cell ID) of the sending end which sends theDCI; and then it receives a PCFICH and a PDCCH according to the cellidentity, or does not receive the PCFICH but directly receives an ePDCCHto acquire the DCI, and informs a base station, to which the UE belongs,about the DCI through the UCI or RRC signaling.

Alternatively, a method that the receiving end monitors the DCIinformation may include the following operations: the receiving endreceives a PSS/SSS and a PBCH of a sending-end base station, and then itreceives a PCFICH and a PDCCH/ePDCCH; or the receiving end issynchronized with an licensed carrier, and then the receiving enddetermines a location of the DCI sent in the unlicensed carrieraccording to timing of the licensed carrier; and the receiving endreceives the DCI information according to the location of the DCI.

Alternatively, corresponding to the description mode of the sending end,a method that the receiving end monitors the DCI/UCI information mayinclude but not limited to at least one of the following operations: thereceiving end receives the information about time through a PDCCH infirst one, two, three or four OFDM symbols of a subframe; the receivingend receives the information about time through a PDCCH in an OFDMsymbol of a second slot of a subframe; and the receiving end receivesthe information about time through a PDCCH/ePDCCH at a preset resourcelocation of a subframe.

Alternatively, the receiving end may receive the information about timeon a PDCCH/ePDCCH of the unlicensed carrier or on an agreed resourceaccording to an agreed DCI format. Herein, as a implementation mode, thereceiving end may determine information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by other base stations according to a bit in theDCI; or determine a location and/or meaning of a bit describing theinformation about time in the DCI according to a bit in the DCI.

Alternatively, if the receiving end receives the DCI/UCI information inan uplink carrier of the unlicensed carrier, the receiving end maydetermine that the DCI/UCI information describes information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied by other base stations proximalto the sending end.

Alternatively, the receiving end may determine an occupation situationof the unlicensed carrier in a mode of monitoring the DCI/UCIinformation subframe by subframe in the unlicensed carrier; or afterother base stations occupy a first subframe of the unlicensed carrier toreceive the DCI/UCI information to obtain the information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied, the receiving end does notmonitor the DCI information until occupation of the unlicensed carrieris ended.

Alternatively, the receiving end may includes a base station, a relaystation and a UE.

Corresponding to the method for sending information, in this embodiment,an apparatus for sending information located at a sending end isprovided. The apparatus is configured to implement the above-mentionedembodiment and the implementation mode, which have already beendescribed and thus are not repetitively described here. As used below,the term “module” may implement combinations of software and/or hardwarewith predetermined functions. Although the apparatus described in thefollowing embodiment is better implemented by means of software, theimplementation by means of hardware or combinations of software andhardware may also be conceived.

FIG. 3 illustrates a structural diagram of an apparatus for sendinginformation according to the embodiment of the present document. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the apparatus includes a description module 32and a sending module 34. The modules will be described below in details.

The description module 32 is configured to use DCI/UCI to describeinformation about time that an unlicensed carrier is occupied; and thesending module 34 is connected with the description module 32 and isconfigured to send the DCI/UCI information through an licensed carrieror the unlicensed carrier.

Alternatively, the information about time may be described by taking asubframe as a unit, or may be described by taking an OFDM symbol as aunit or may also be described by taking a slot as a unit. Herein, undera situation that an OFDM is described by taking the subframe as theunit, the information about time may be used to describe a subframewhich will be occupied by the sending end or other sending ends.

Alternatively, the sending end in a first occupied subframe uses a bitin an agreed DCI format or UCI format to describe the information abouttime occupied by the sending end or other sending ends, including butnot limited to at least one of the following: the information about timedescribes that a plurality of continuous subframes starting from acurrent subframe are occupied; the information about time describes thenumber of subframes which are continuously occupied starting from acertain frame; and the information about time describes the patterns ofsubframes, which will be occupied, in subframes.

Corresponding to the method for receiving information, in thisembodiment, an apparatus for receiving information located at areceiving end is further provided. FIG. 4 illustrates a structuraldiagram of an apparatus for receiving information according to theembodiment of the present document. As illustrated in FIG. 4, theapparatus includes a monitoring module 42. The module will be describedbelow in detail.

The monitoring module 42 is configured to monitor DCI/UCI information ofan unlicensed carrier, herein the DCI/UCI information is used by thereceiving end to acquire information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by a proximal sending end.

Alternatively, the monitoring module includes: an acquisition unit 422configured to, under a situation that the receiving end is a basestation, respectively perform synchronization at different licensedfrequency points and acquire a cell identity (cell ID) of the sendingend which sends the DCI; and then receive a PCFICH and a PDCCH accordingto the cell identity, or not receive the PCFICH but directly receive anePDCCH to acquire the DCI; or under a situation that the receiving endis UE, respectively perform synchronization at different licensedfrequency points and acquire a cell identity (cell ID) of the sendingend which sends the DCI; and then receive a PCFICH and a PDCCH accordingto the cell identity, or not receive the PCFICH but directly receive anePDCCH to acquire the DCI, and inform a base station, to which the UEbelongs, about the DCI through UCI or RRC signaling.

In this embodiment, a system for sending information is furtherprovided. FIG. 5 illustrates a structural diagram of a system forsending information according to the embodiment of the present document.As illustrated in FIG. 5, the system includes the apparatus for sendinginformation 30 illustrated in FIG. 3 and further includes the apparatusfor receiving information 40 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Description will be made below in combination with embodiments. Thefollowing embodiments combine the above-mentioned embodiments and theimplementation modes thereof.

In the following embodiments, a carrier resource occupation informationdesign and sending solution of an unlicensed carrier seized/occupied bya base station is provided. A basic idea is to use DCI/UCI to describeinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by thebase station.

The solution will be described below in detail from two aspects, i.e.,sending end and receiving end.

Specific solution of sending end: a sending end, in a subframe OFDMsymbol, uses DCI to send information about time that an unlicensedcarrier is occupied by the sending end or other sending ends. FIG. 6illustrates a flowchart 1 of a sending end according to the embodimentof the present document. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the process of thesending end includes:

In step S602, a sending end generates the DCI signaling describinginformation about time that an unlicensed carrier is occupied by thesending end.

In step S604, the sending end sends the DCI signaling through a PDCCH orePDCCH of the unlicensed carrier.

Alternatively, FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart 2 of a sending endaccording to the embodiment of the present document. As illustrated inFIG. 7, under a situation that the sending end is UE or a small cell,the process of the sending end includes:

in step S702, a sending end (e.g., UE) forwards the received DCIsignalling describing information about time that an unlicensed carrieris occupied by other base stations to a base station to which thesending end belongs.

In step S704, the base station receives the DCI signaling sent by thesending end and determines an occupation situation of an unlicensedcarrier resource according to the DCI signaling.

Alternatively, a PDCCH in first one, two, three or four OFDM symbols ofa subframe may be used to bear the information about time.

Alternatively, DCI is sent through a PDCCH or ePDCCH. For example, it isspecified that middle two (or four or eight) PRBs are configured to sendan ePDCCH of a common channel (or configured to send a channeloccupation indication of LTE-U). An overhead is 2% (or 4% or 8%) and isless than the overhead for a PDCCH. Variable locations are more.

Alternatively, the information about time is sent in an OFDM symbol at asecond slot in a subframe (the purpose of doing this is to ensure that anext subframe can be directly used by a base station which monitors asidle), or is sent at a pre-agreed resource location in a subframe.

Alternatively, the sending end uses the DCI to bear the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by the sending end orother sending ends, and sends the information about time. For example,if it is agreed to adopt a certain DCI format, a bit in the DCI formatis used to describe information about a subframe that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by the sending end or other sending ends.

Alternatively, DCI format 3 may be used to describe the informationabout time.

Alternatively, an agreed RNTI is used for scrambling and sending in acommon search area of a PDCCH.

Alternatively, the information about time describes subframes which willbe occupied by the sending end or other sending ends by taking asubframe as a unit.

Alternatively, the described subframes are subframes within an agreedperiod of time.

Alternatively, the described subframes are the pattern of subframes in atime direction. Herein, the subframes corresponding to the pattern ofsubframes are occupied by the sending end or other sending ends.

Alternatively, the information about maximum occupied time may be 10 ms.

Alternatively, if a maximum number of subframes which are allowable tobe occupied at one time is N and N is less than or equal to the bitnumber of DCI, first N bits in DCI may be used to describe subframes, inN ms, occupied by the sending end or other sending ends in a bitmapmode. Other bits are used as reserved bits and still need to be sent.

Alternatively, the sending end includes a base station and UE.

Alternatively, the sending end sends DCI describing the informationabout time in each subframe in occupied subframes.

Alternatively, if DCI is sent in each subframe, DCI describes thatoccupied subframe information is remaining and new subframe occupationinformation.

Alternatively, timing of the subframe used by the sending end to sendDCI is the same as timing of an licensed carrier of the sending end.

Alternatively the licensed carrier is a carrier of a minimum frequencypoint possessed by the sending end. (To select which licensed carrier isa problem, and if this problem is not solved, the unlicensed carrierpossibly needs to send a synchronization signal and a PBCH thereof.)

Alternatively, the sending end sends the information about time in adownlink carrier or an uplink carrier.

Alternatively, when the sending end uses the uplink carrier, theinformation about time is sent in an uplink resource allocated by a basestation thereto.

Alternatively, bits in DCI are redefined to: indicate which mode is usedto describe the information about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied in the DCI; describe the information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied.

Alternatively, the sending end includes a base station, a relay stationand UE.

Specific solution of receiving end: (basically reverse to the sendingend) a receiving end receives information about time, described in asubframe OFDM symbol, that an unlicensed carrier is occupied by otherbase stations, and learns about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied by other base stations according to the information about time.Herein, the information about time is born by DCI. FIG. 8 illustrates aflowchart of a receiving end according to the embodiment of the presentdocument. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a process of a receiving endincludes:

In step S802, a receiving end (e.g. base station) monitors the DCIsignaling of information about occupied time sent by a proximal basestation in an unlicensed carrier (e.g., it is obtained by performing ablind search on a PDCCH of a proximal base station).

In step S804, a resource occupation situation of the unlicensed carrieris determined according to the DCI signaling of the proximal basestation.

Alternatively, the receiving end receives the information about occupiedtime of the unlicensed carrier in a PDCCH in first one, two, three orfour OFDM symbols; or receives the DCI in an OFDM symbol of a secondslot of a subframe; or receives the information about occupied time at apre-agreed resource location in a subframe.

Alternatively, the receiving end receives the information about time ina PDCCH according to an agreed DCI format.

Alternatively, the receiving end determines a pattern of subframes ofthe unlicensed carrier occupied by other base stations by using anagreed bitmap rule according to bits in DCI.

Alternatively, the receiving end receives the DCI information in anuplink carrier, and the receiving end considers that the DCI informationdescribes the information about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied by other base stations proximal to the sending end.

Alternatively, the receiving end needs to monitor the DCI informationsubframe by subframe and determine a busy/idle state of the unlicensedcarrier.

Alternatively, the receiving end receives the DCI information, andaccording to bit definitions in the DCI information, it firstlydetermines which mode is adopted for the DCI information to describe theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied, and thendetermines the information about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied.

Alternatively, the receiving end includes a base station, a relaystation and UE.

Through the solution, the occupation of unlicensed carriers in an LTEsystem may be realized, current LTE physical channel signaling iscontinuously used to an utmost extent and thus the influence on the LTEsystem is minimized.

This embodiment will be described below in more detail.

Basic idea of this embodiment: a sending end uses DCI to describeinformation about time that an unlicensed carrier is occupied by thesending end or other sending ends, and sends the DCI information. Forexample, a base station 1 adopts DCI information to describe informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by the base station 1(e.g., describe how many subframes are occupied or which subframes areoccupied), then and sends the information, specifically by using a PDCCHor ePDCCH or a resource which is pre-agreed (or fixed through protocol).For another example, UE subordinate to the base station 1 or a smallcell subordinate to the base station 1 receives the DCI information sentby a proximal base station 2 (since a distance between the base station1 and the base station 2 is long, the DCI information sent by the basestation 2 cannot be received through an air interface), and thenforwards the DCI information to the base station 1 to which the UEbelongs. During specific forwarding, DCI information may be stilladopted for sending, or the DCI information is converted into othersignaling forms and then is sent to the base station 1, e.g., the DCIinformation is converted into an RRC message for sending.

A receiving end monitors (or receives and monitors) the DCI informationsent by other proximal base stations in the unlicensed carrier to learnabout the information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedby the proximate base stations, and determines whether to continuouslyoccupy the unlicensed carrier or schedule the subordinate UE accordingto the information about occupied time. When the receiving end needs touse the unlicensed carrier, the receiving end needs to firstly monitorinformation for describing occupation of the unlicensed carrier in theDCI signaling of other base stations, and then determine that theunlicensed carrier is not used by other base station or that theunlicensed carrier is used by other base stations but the use of theunlicensed carrier by the receiving end is not influenced (e.g., under asituation that the transmission direction is different).

When the receiving end receives the information about time, forwarded bythe subordinate UE or small cell thereof, that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied by proximal base stations, the receiving end decides to use abeamforming technology for the UE or small cell to transmit dataaccording to the information about time.

When the receiving end is a base station, the base station respectivelyperforms synchronization at different licensed frequency points,acquires a cell ID of the base station which sends the DCI, receives aPCFICH and receives a PDCCH, or does not receive a PCFICH but directlyreceives an ePDCCH and acquires the DCI; and if the receiving end is UE,after the UE executes the above-mentioned process, the UE further needsto inform a base station, to which the UE belongs, about the DCI throughUCI or the uplink RRC signaling for reference.

If the sending end is a base station, in a mode (first), the basestation needs to simultaneously send a PSS/SSS and a PBCH and ademodulation signal CRS (only OFDM symbols bearing a PDCCH domain aresent and other symbols of a PDSCH domain are not sent) or DMRS needed bya PCFICH and a PDCCH or ePDCCH in the unlicensed carrier to enable otherbase stations to be capable of being synchronized with the unlicensedcarrier and demodulate the DCI. In another ode (second), the basestation ensures that the unlicensed carrier to be strictly aligned tothe licensed carrier of the base station, the base station sends the DCIinformation in the unlicensed carrier according to timing of thelicensed carrier thereof, and thereby the unlicensed carrier can beenabled to have the same frame number and subframe number as thelicensed carrier of the base station and the OFDM symbol is alsoaligned. The PSS/SSS and PBCH do not need to be sent in the unlicensedcarrier. If the base station has a plurality of licensed carriers, it isagreed that the base station at least ensures the unlicensed carrier tobe strictly aligned to timing of a certain licensed carrier thereof,e.g., an licensed carrier of an agreed minimum frequency point.

If the sending end adopts the first mode, the receiving end needs toreceive the PSS/SSS and PBCH of the sending-end base station and thenreceive PCFICH and PDCCH; or receive the PSS/SSS and PBCH of thesending-end base station and then receive the ePDCCH. If the sending endadopts the second mode, the receiving end needs to be firstlysynchronized with the licensed carrier, then determines a location ofthe DCI sent in the unlicensed carrier according to the timing of thelicensed carrier, and then receives the DCI.

The information about time, described by the sending end by using theDCI information, that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by the sendingend or other sending ends includes: information about time described bytaking a subframe as a unit, information about time described by takingan OFDM symbol as a unit or information about time described by taking aslot as a unit.

Alternatively, when the sending end is a base station, a PDCCH in firstone, two, three or four OFDM symbols of a subframe can be used to bearthe information about time. For example, the base station can determinethe number of OFDM symbols occupied by the PDCCH according to therequirement of the number of scheduled UE. If first two OFDM symbols aredetermined, the base station sends the PDCCH in the first two OFDMsymbols, and simultaneously indicates through a PCFICH channel. Further,the base station needs to send the DCI in a common search space of thePDCCH and uses a common agreed RNTI for scrambling, and thereby otherbase stations receive the PCFICH, determines the number of the OFDMsymbols occupied by the PDCCH and then use the common RNTI to search theDCI in the common search space of the PDCCH (other base stations need tohave a capability of searching the PDCCH and the current base stationdoes not need to search the PDCCH).

Alternatively, the DCI information may also be sent through an ePDCCH.For example, it is agreed that (or fixed through protocol) two (or four,or eight) PRBs in the carrier are configured to send the DCI (or isconfigured to send the information about time in the unlicensed carrierfor LTE), and the sending is performed through the ePDCCH channel. Byadopting the ePDCCH to send the DCI in the agreed resource, the neededoverhead is less than the overhead for sending the DCI by using thePDCCH.

Alternatively, whether a next subframe is used by the sending-end basestation is indicated in a current subframe. For example, the DCIinformation sent in a subframe n describes that a subframe n+1 will beoccupied. Thereby, when other base stations monitor in the currentsubframe, if it is found that the information about time of the currentsubframe is idle, other base stations can use the next subframe.

Alternatively, the sending end uses the DCI to bear the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by the sending endand other ending end, and sends the DCI. It may be agreed that a certainDCI format is adopted and bits in the DCI format are used to describeinformation about a subframe that the unlicensed carrier is occupied bythe sending end or other sending ends. Thereby the searching speed ofother base stations is accelerated because the DCI format which needsfor blind search is reduced to one, other base stations only need toperform the blind search according to this DCI format and other DCIformats do not need to be considered.

Alternatively, DCI formats 3, 3A and 1C are used. Other DCI formats mayalso be used. In principle, a format to which blind search is easilyperformed is selected, e.g., a bit number corresponding to this formatis unique.

Alternatively, the DCI information is scrambled by using an agreed RNTI,ad it is sent in a common search space of the PDCCH or ePDCCH or sent inan agreed resource.

Alternatively, the information about time is described by taking asubframe as a unit and describes subframes which will be occupied by thesending end or other sending ends. For example, it describes how manycontinuous subframes starting from a current subframe are occupied; orit describes how many continuous subframes starting from a certainsubframe are occupied; or it describes one subframe occupation pattern,and subframes corresponding to the pattern will be occupied.

Alternatively, the described subframes are subframes within an agreedperiod of time. For example, the total length of time of occupiedsubframes should not exceed a certain set threshold. For example,maximum occupied time at one time is 10 ms.

Alternatively, the described information about time is a subframepattern in a time direction. Herein, subframes corresponding to thesubframe pattern are occupied by the sending end or other sending ends.

Alternatively, a use mode of DCI bits is that: if a maximum number ofsubframes which are allowable to be occupied at one time is N and N isless than or equal to a bit number of DCI, first N bits in DCI may beused to describe subframes (one subframe is 1 ms in LTE), in N ms,occupied by the sending end or other sending ends in a bitmap mode.Other bits are used as reserved bits and still need to be sent (in orderto facilitate the blind search by other base stations).

Alternatively, the sending end sends DCI describing the informationabout time in each subframe in occupied subframes.

Alternatively, if DCI is sent in each subframe, DCI describes thatoccupied subframe information is remaining and new subframe occupationinformation. For example, originally the sending end occupies fivesubframes, the DCI describes that five subframes are occupied in a firstsubframe, the DCI describes four subframes are occupied in a secondsubframe and used subframes need to be deducted.

Alternatively, timing of the subframe used by the sending end to sendDCI is the same as timing of at least one licensed carrier of thesending end.

Alternatively, the licensed carrier is a carrier of a minimum frequencypoint possessed by the sending end.

Alternatively, the sending end sends it in a downlink carrier or anuplink carrier.

Alternatively, when the sending end uses the uplink carrier, it is sentin an uplink resource allocated by a base station thereto.

Alternatively, the sending end may send the DCI information of theoccupied unlicensed carrier only in a first subframe which is seized anddoes not send the DCI information in subframes after the occupiedsubframe.

Alternatively, bits in the DCI are redefined to: indicate which mode isused for describing the information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied in the DCI; describe the information about time thatthe unlicensed carrier is occupied. For example, the sending end uses afirst bit in DCI to describe which mode is used for describing theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied, e.g.,adopts a bitmap mode or a mode of a plurality of continuous subframesafter an agreed subframe for description; and it uses part of or allbits in remaining bits to describe information about specificallyoccupied time.

Alternatively, 1 bit may also be set in DCI to indicate a mode whichwill be adopted by bits in DCI to describe a resource seizure mode,e.g., a bitmap mode or a continuous seizure mode.

Alternatively, 1 bit may also be set in DCI to indicate whether theseized resource is a resource at a current moment or a future moment.

Alternatively, a plurality of bits may also be set in DCI tosimultaneously indicate a mode which will be adopted by bits in DCI todescribe resource seizure mode and indicate whether the seized resourceis a resource at a current moment or a future moment, and other bits areused to describe occupation and release situations.

Alternatively, different common RNTIs are adopted to distinguish whetherbits in DCI use the bitmap mode or the continuous resource seizure mode;or different common RNTIs are used to distinguish whether the seizedresource is the resource at the current moment or the future moment. Forexample, a common RNTI is allocated for the bitmap mode of resourceseizure and is scrambled in the corresponding DCI using the bitmap mode.A common RNTI is allocated for the continuous resource seizure mode andis scrambled in the corresponding DCI using the continuous resourceseizure mode.

Alternatively, the sending end includes a base station, a relay stationand UE.

Specific solution of receiving end: (basically reverse to the sendingend)

A receiving end receives information about time, described in a subframeOFDM symbol, that an unlicensed carrier is occupied by other basestations, and learns about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedby other base stations according to the information about time. Herein,the information about time is born by DCI.

Alternatively, the receiving end receives the information about occupiedtime of the unlicensed carrier in a PDCCH in first one, two, three orfour OFDM symbols; or receives the DCI in an OFDM symbol of a secondslot of a subframe; or receives the DCI at a pre-agreed resourcelocation in a subframe.

Alternatively, the receiving end receives the information about time ina PDCCH or an ePDCCH according to an agreed DCI format.

Alternatively, the receiving end parses the meaning of bit according tobits in DCI to determine a location of a subframe of the unlicensedcarrier occupied by other base stations. For example, when the sendingend uses the bitmap mode to describe the information about the occupiedsubframes, the receiving end determines which subframes are occupiedaccording to bitmap signaling; or the receiving end receives the DCIinformation, firstly parses the bit indicating the mode of describingthe information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied inthe DCI, and then parses the bit describing the information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied to determine the informationabout the occupied subframes.

Alternatively, the receiving end receives the DCI or UCI information inan uplink carrier, and the receiving end considers that the DCI or UCIinformation describes the information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by other base stations proximal to the sending end.

Alternatively, the receiving end needs to monitor the DCI informationsubframe by subframe and determine a busy/idle state of the unlicensedcarrier.

Alternatively, the receiving end receives the DCI information, accordingto bit definitions in the DCI information, it firstly determines a modewhich is adopted by the DCI information to describe the informationabout time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied, and then determinesthe information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied.

Alternatively, the receiving end includes a base station, a relaystation and UE.

Embodiment 1

After a base station seizes an unlicensed spectrum, the base stationsends DCI describing information about a subframe that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied in a PDCCH in first two OFDM symbols of a subframeof the unlicensed carrier, and uses an agreed RNTI to scramble the DCI.For example, it is specified to use DCI format 3 to describe informationabout a subframe occupied by the base station 1 in a bitmap mode. It issupposed that maximum subframes occupied at one time are 10 ms, i.e., 10subframes.

The base station 1 may set first 10 bits of DCI format 3 to be signalingdescribing information about occupied time, and remaining bits arecontinuously reserved and sent. When the base station 1 needs to occupyfive continuous subframes, the base station 1 sets first five bits ofDCI format 3 to be 1, then sets next five bits to be 0 and sets otherbits to be zero. DCI information sent in a first occupied subframe is“1111100000”, herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1indicates that it is occupied and subsequently four subframes areoccupied; DCI information sent in a second occupied subframe is“1111000000”, herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1indicates that it is occupied and subsequently three subframes areoccupied; DCI information sent in a third occupied subframe is“1110000000”, herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1indicates that it is occupied and subsequently two subframes areoccupied; DCI information sent in a fourth occupied subframe is“1100000000”, herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1indicates that it is occupied and subsequently one subframe is occupied;and DCI information sent in a fifth occupied subframe is “1000000000”,herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1 indicates that it isoccupied and subsequently zero subframe is occupied.

After other base stations receive the DCI signaling of the base station1, other base stations parse information about a specific subframe thatthe unlicensed carrier is occupied by the base station 1 according tothe agreed meaning of the signaling.

Alternatively, the base station may also send DCI only in first seizedsubframe. For example, when the base station 1 needs to occupy fivecontinuous subframes, the base station 1 sets first five bits of DCI tobe 1, then sets next five bits to be 0 and sets other bits to be zero.DCI information sent in a first occupied subframe is “1111100000”,herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1 indicates that it isoccupied and subsequently four subframes are occupied. The base station1 does not need to send the DCI information about seizure in next foursubframes. Other base stations also only need to receive the DCIinformation in the first subframe, next four subframes do not need to bemonitored any more, and new receiving or seizure is not started untilthe subframes occupied by the base station 1 are ended.

Embodiment 2

(This embodiment is an example of seizing a resource at a future moment)

After a base station seizes an unlicensed spectrum, the base stationsends DCI describing information about a subframe that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied in a PDCCH in first two OFDM symbols of a subframeof the unlicensed carrier, and uses an agreed RNTI to scramble the DCI.For example, it is specified to use DCI format 3 to describe informationabout a subframe occupied by the base station 1 in a bitmap mode. It issupposed that maximum subframes occupied at one time are 10 ms, i.e., 10subframes.

The base station 1 may set first 10 bits of DCI format 3 to be signalingdescribing information about occupied time, and remaining bits arecontinuously reserved and sent. When the base station 1 needs to occupya 4th subframe (i.e., k+4) starting from a current subframe (kth), thebase station 1 sets bits describing information about occupied time inthe DCI to be “0000100000”. Other base stations receive the DCIinformation of the base station 1 in a kth subframe, parse the DCIinformation and may understand it as that the base station 1 sends theDCI information in the kth subframe to seize a (k+4)th subframeresource, and the base station does not occupy the kth subframe. At thismoment, the DCI of the base station 1 may also be sent in a non-commonsearch space of a PDCCH or ePDCCH.

For another example, the base station 1 may set first 10 bits of DCIformat 3 to be signaling describing information about occupied time, andremaining bits are continuously reserved and sent. When the base station1 needs to occupy a current subframe (kth) and 4th and 8th subframesthereafter (i.e., k, k+4 and k+8), the base station 1 sets bitsdescribing information about occupied time in the DCI to be“1000100010”. Other base stations receive the DCI information of thebase station 1 in a kth subframe, parse the DCI information and mayunderstand it as that the base station 1 seizes kth, (k+4)th and (k+8)thsubframe resources. At this moment, the DCI of the base station 1 mayalso be sent in a non-common search space of a PDCCH or ePDCCH.

It may also be considered that more bits are set to describe informationabout seizure of more subframes in a bitmap mode, and the use principleis similar.

Other base stations receive the DCI information of the base station 1according to the agreement, e.g., it may performs reception in eachsubframe or receive it only in the first subframe in which the basestation 1 sends the DCI. After other base stations receive the DCIsignaling of the base station 1, other base stations parse informationabout a specific subframe that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by thebase station 1 according to the agreed meaning of the signaling.

Embodiment 3

(This embodiment is an example of a continuous resource seizure mode)

After base station 1 seizes an unlicensed spectrum, the base station 1sends DCI describing information about a subframe that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied in a PDCCH in first two OFDM symbols of a subframeof the unlicensed carrier, and uses an agreed RNTI to scramble the DCI.For example, it is specified to use DCI format 3 to describe informationabout a subframe occupied by the base station 1 in a bitmap mode. It issupposed that maximum subframes occupied at one time are 10 ms, i.e., 10subframes.

The base station 1 may set first 10 bits of DCI format 3 to be signalingdescribing information about occupied time, and remaining bits arecontinuously reserved and sent. When the base station 1 needs to occupyfive continuous subframes, the base station 1 sets first five bits ofDCI format 3 to be 1, then sets next five bits to be 0 and sets otherbits to be zero. DCI information sent in a first occupied subframe is“1111100000”, herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1indicates that it is occupied and subsequently four subframes areoccupied; DCI information sent in a second occupied subframe is“1111000000”, herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1indicates that it is occupied and subsequently three subframes areoccupied; DCI information sent in a third occupied subframe is“1110000000”, herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1indicates that it is occupied and subsequently two subframes areoccupied; at this moment, the base station 1 finds that three subframesafter the five continuous subframes further need to be continuouslyseized such that data transmission can be completed, the base station 1may send DCI information “1111100000” in the fourth occupied subframe,herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1 indicates that it isoccupied and subsequently four subframes are occupied; DCI informationsent in a fifth occupied subframe is “1111000000”, herein a first bitidentifies a current subframe, 1 indicates that it is occupied andsubsequently three subframes are occupied; DCI information sent in asixth occupied subframe is “1110000000”, herein a first bit identifies acurrent subframe, 1 indicates that it is occupied and subsequently twosubframes are occupied; DCI information sent in a seventh occupiedsubframe is “1100000000”, herein a first bit identifies a currentsubframe, 1 indicates that it is occupied and subsequently one subframeis occupied; and DCI information sent in an eighth occupied subframe is“1000000000”, herein a first bit identifies a current subframe, 1indicates that it is occupied and subsequently zero subframe isoccupied.

Under this situation, it is required that other base stations receivethe DCI information in each subframe occupied by the base station 1 orreceive the DCI information in the last subframe occupied by the basestation 1 to determine the situation that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied by the base station 1.

Embodiment 4

(This embodiment is an example of a resource seizure mode according to afeedback timing principle)

After base station 1 seizes an unlicensed spectrum, the base station 1sends DCI describing information about a subframe that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied in a PDCCH in first two OFDM symbols of a subframeof the unlicensed carrier, and uses an agreed RNTI to scramble the DCI.For example, it is specified to use DCI format 3 to describe informationabout a subframe occupied by the base station 1 in a bitmap mode. It issupposed that maximum subframes occupied at one time are 10 ms, i.e., 10subframes.

The base station 1 may set first 10 bits of DCI format 3 to be signalingdescribing information about occupied time, and remaining bits arecontinuously reserved and sent. For example, the base station 1 needs tooccupy one subframe to transmit downlink data and needs to wait forACK/NACK feedback information of UE after this subframe to transmit ituplink to the base station 1. The base station 1 sets first 10 bits ofDCI format 3 to be “1000100000” and then sends it. The base station 1will occupy a current subframe (k) and a (k+4)th subframe and does notoccupy (k+1)th, (k+2)th and (k+3)th subframes which may be seized andused by other base stations. Herein, the kth and (k+4)th subframes areoccupied mainly according to a feedback timing principle of ACK/NACK ofcurrent LTE (i.e., sending in the kth subframe and feeding back inthe(k+4)th subframe). If feedback timing principles of other systems aredifferent, the subframe resources may be occupied according to thecorresponding feedback timing principles.

Embodiment 5

(This embodiment is an example of a flexible resource seizure modeaccording to a transmission situation)

After base station 1 seizes an unlicensed spectrum, the base stationsends DCI describing information about a subframe that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied in a PDCCH in first two OFDM symbols of a subframeof the unlicensed carrier, and uses an agreed RNTI to scramble the DCI.For example, it is specified to use DCI format 3 to describe informationabout a subframe occupied by the base station 1 in a bitmap mode. It issupposed that maximum subframes occupied at one time are 10 ms, i.e., 10subframes.

The base station 1 may set first 10 bits of DCI format 3 to be signalingdescribing information about occupied time, and remaining bits arecontinuously reserved and sent. For example, the base station 1 needs tooccupy a subframe to transmit downlink data and needs to wait forACK/NACK feedback information of UE after this subframe to transmit ituplink to the base station 1 and to perform the possible downlinkretransmission. The base station 1 sets first 10 bits of DCI format 3 tobe “1000100010” and sends it. The base station 1 will occupy a currentsubframe (k) and a (k+4)th subframe thereafter to take it as the uplinkACK/NACK feedback of UE, and if UE feedback is NACK, the base stationwill perform the retransmission in a (k+8)th subframe; and if UEfeedback is ACK, the base station will release the (k+8)th subframe. Forexample, the base station can send DCI information “0000000000” about aresource occupied by the base station 1 in a (k+5)th subframe. Here, the(k+4)th subframe is uplink and thus the base station 1 cannot performthe transmission, and if it is downlink, the base station 1 sends“0000000000” in the (k+4)th subframe.

Embodiment 6

(This embodiment is an embodiment of a mode of occupying and releasing aresource)

After a base station seizes an unlicensed spectrum, the base stationsends DCI describing information about a subframe that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied in a PDCCH in first two OFDM symbols of a subframeof the unlicensed carrier, and uses an agreed RNTI to scramble the DCI.For example, it is specified to use DCI format 3 to describe informationabout a subframe occupied by the base station 1 in a bitmap mode. It issupposed that maximum subframes occupied at one time are 10 ms, i.e., 10subframes.

The base station 1 may set first 10 bits of DCI format 3 to be signalingdescribing information about occupied time, and remaining bits arecontinuously reserved and sent. For example, if the base station 1occupies a plurality of subframes, when the base station 1 finds thatsome frames may be released during use, the base station 1 can send theDCI signaling of releasing a resource in the last subframe which isoccupied and is determined to be used. Specifically, for example, if thebase station 1 occupies five continuous subframes and as a result, thebase station 1 finds that the base station 1 only needs to use firstthree subframes and next two subframes may be released, and the basestation 1 sends DCI signaling “1111100000” in a first occupied subframe,sends DCI signaling “1111000000” in a second occupied subframe and sendsDCI signaling “1000000000” in a third occupied subframe. In thisexample, the base station 1 sends the release signaling in the thirdoccupied subframe, and the base station 1 may also send the releasesignaling (e.g., “1100000000”) in the second subframe, mainly dependingon the moment that the base station 1 finds that the subframes may bereleased. After other base stations continuously monitor the informationabout occupation of the unlicensed carrier of the base station 1, otherbase stations may learn that the base station 1 releases the last twosubframes.

Embodiment 7

(This embodiment is an example of a mode of occupying and releasing aresource)

After a base station seizes an unlicensed spectrum, the base stationsends DCI describing information about a subframe that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied in a PDCCH in first two OFDM symbols of a subframeof the unlicensed carrier, and uses an agreed RNTI to scramble the DCI.For example, it is specified to use DCI format 3 to describe informationabout a subframe occupied by the base station 1 in a bitmap mode. It issupposed that maximum subframes occupied at one time are 10 ms, i.e., 10subframes.

Two modes of describing information about occupied time are set, hereinone is a bitmap mode, which still uses 10 bits of DCI signaling (at thismoment 10 bits are from 2nd to 11th bits); and the other is a continuousdescription mode, e.g., how many continuous subframes starting from acurrent subframe are occupied is described, at this moment the bitnumber is determined according to a specific standard situation, and 16bits may be set (specifically 2nd to 17th bits of DCI signaling), andthis mode is more suitable to be implemented by countries which have norestrictions on maximum occupied time of unlicensed carriers for onetime. A first bit of DCI signaling is used for indicating a mode whichis adopted to describe the information about occupied time, and itindicates that a bitmap mode is adopted when this bit is set to be 1,and it indicates that a continuous description mode is used when thisbit is set to be 0.

The base station 1 occupies five subframes, and the base station 1 setsa first bit of DCI signaling to be 1 and next 2nd to 11th bits to be“1111100000”, and sends the DCI signaling in a first occupied subframe.After other base stations receive the DCI signaling, other base stationsfirstly parse the first bit and then parse subsequent subframesdescribing the subframe occupation situation according to the meaning ofthe first bit.

For another example, the base station 1 occupies 30 subframes, and thebase station 1 sets a first bit of DCI signaling to be 0 and next 2nd to17th bits to be “0000,0000,0001,1110” and sends the DCI signaling in afirst occupied subframe. After other base stations receive the DCIsignaling, other base stations firstly parse the first bit and thenparse subsequent subframes describing the subframe occupation situationaccording to the meaning of the first bit.

Other base stations need to receive the DCI in each subframe occupied bythe base station 1 in order to find whether the base station 1 releasesthe unlicensed carrier.

In another embodiment, the software is further provided. The software isconfigured to execute the above-mentioned embodiments and the technicalsolutions described in the embodiments.

In another embodiment, a storage medium is further provided. The storagemedium stores the software and includes but not limited to a compactdisc, a soft disc, a hard disc, an erasable memory, etc.

Obviously, one skilled in the art should understand that all modules andall steps of the present document may be implemented by usinggeneral-purpose computing devices, and they may be integrated in asingle computing device or distributed on a network composed of aplurality of computing devices, optionally they may be implemented byusing program codes executable for computing devices, thus they may bestored in memory devices and executed by computing devices, and undercertain circumstances, the illustrated or described steps may beexecuted according to a sequence different from the sequence here, orthey may be respectively manufactured into integrated circuit modules ora plurality of modules or steps thereof may be manufactured into asingle integrated circuit module to implement. Therefore, the presentdocument is not limited to any specific combination of hardware andsoftware.

The embodiments described above are just embodiments of the presentdocument and are not used for limiting the present document. For oneskilled in the art, the present document may have various modificationsand variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvementand the like made within the spirit and principle of the presentdocument shall be still included in the protection scope of the presentdocument.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the method for sending information, the method forreceiving information, the apparatus and the system provided by theembodiments of the present document have the following beneficialeffects: the problem of how to enable base stations to mutually informabout an occupation situation of the unlicensed carrier is solved, thecoordination and utilization of the unlicensed carriers in a wirelesscommunication system are facilitated and the utilization rate of theunlicensed carriers is improved.

What we claim is:
 1. A method for sending information, comprising: asending end using Downlink Control Information, DCI, /Uplink ControlInformation, UCI, to describe information about time that an unlicensedcarrier is occupied; and the sending end sending the DCI/UCI informationthrough a licensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier; wherein thesending end using the DCI information to describe the information abouttime that the unlicensed carrier is occupied comprises at least one ofthe following: the sending end using a PDCCH in first one, two, three orfour OFDM symbols of a subframe to bear the information about time; thesending end using a PDCCH in an OFDM symbol of a second slot of asubframe to bear the information about time; and the sending end using apreset resource location of a subframe to bear the information abouttime; or wherein the sending end using the DCI information to describethe information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedfurther comprises: the sending end indicating a location for bearing theinformation about time through a PCFICH channel; or wherein the sendingend sending the DCI/UCI information through the licensed carrier or theunlicensed carrier comprises: under a situation that the sending end isa base station, the sending end using an ePDCCH channel in a PhysicalResource Block, PRB, at an agreed carrier location to send the DCI; andwherein the sending end using the DCI/UCI information to describe theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedcomprises: the sending end indicating, in a current subframe, whether anext subframe will be used by the sending end.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the sending end using the DCI/UCI information todescribe the information about time that the unlicensed carrier isoccupied comprises one of the following: the sending end using the DCIinformation to describe information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by the sending end; and the sending end using theDCI/UCI information to describe information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied by other sending ends.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the sending end sending the DCI/UCIinformation through the licensed carrier or the unlicensed carriercomprises: the sending end sending the DCI/UCI information in a downlinkcarrier or an uplink carrier of the licensed carrier or the unlicensedcarrier, wherein the sending end sending the DCI information through thelicensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier comprises: the sending endsending the DCI information through a PDCCH/ePDCCH of the licensedcarrier or the unlicensed carrier or on an agreed resource; or under asituation that an uplink and a downlink share the same one carrier, theinformation about time comprising downlink sending time occupied by thesending end and uplink receiving time of the sending end; or theinformation about time comprising the downlink sending time occupied bythe sending end and not comprising the uplink receiving time of thesending end; or the information about time comprising the downlinksending time occupied by the sending end and partial uplink receivingtime of the sending end.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein thesending end using the DCI information to describe the information abouttime that the unlicensed carrier is occupied comprises: the sending endusing the DCI information according to a preset DCI format to bear theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied, whereinthe preset DCI format comprises at least one of the following: DCIformat 3, 3A, 1C and a DCI format corresponding to a unique bit number.5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sending end sending theDCI/UCI information through the licensed carrier or the unlicensedcarrier comprises: the sending end using an agreed Radio NetworkTemporary Identifier, RNTI, to scramble the DCI information, and sendingthe DCI information in a common search space of a PDCCH/ePDCCH or in anagreed resource.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein theinformation about time is described by taking a subframe as a unit, ordescribed by taking an OFDM symbol as a unit or described by taking aslot as a unit.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sendingend using the DCI information to describe the information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied comprises: the sending endsending the DCI information describing the information about time ineach occupied subframe, wherein the sending end sending the DCIinformation describing the information about time in each occupiedsubframe comprises: the DCI information describing information aboutcurrent remaining occupied subframes.
 8. A method for receivinginformation, comprising: a receiving end monitoring Downlink ControlInformation, DCI, / Uplink Control Information, UCI, of an unlicensedcarrier, wherein the DCI/UCI information is used by the receiving end toacquire information about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupiedby a proximal sending end; wherein the receiving end monitoring theDCI/UCI information of the unlicensed carrier comprises at least one ofthe following: the receiving end acquiring the information about timethrough a PDCCH in first one, two, three or four OFDM symbols of asubframe; the receiving end acquiring the information about time througha PDCCH in an OFDM symbol of a second slot of a subframe; and thereceiving end acquiring the information about time borne at a presetresource location of a subframe; or wherein the receiving end monitoringthe DCI information of the unlicensed carrier further comprises: thereceiving end being indicated a location for bearing the informationabout time through a PCFICH channel by the proximal sending end; orwherein the receiving end monitoring the DCI/UCI information of theunlicensed carrier comprises: under a situation that the proximalsending end is a base station, the DCI information is sent from theproximal sending end using an ePDCCH channel in a Physical ResourceBlock, PRB, at an agreed carrier location; and wherein the receiving endmonitoring the DCI/UCI information of the unlicensed carrier comprises:the receiving end being indicated, in a current subframe, whether a nextsubframe will be used by the proximal sending end.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8, wherein, after the receiving end monitoring theDCI/UCI information of the unlicensed carrier, the method furthercomprises: the receiving end determining a use policy of the unlicensedcarrier of receiving end according to the information about time,wherein the receiving end determining the use policy of the unlicensedcarrier of receiving end according to the information about timecomprises at least one of the following: the receiving end determiningwhether to continuously occupy the unlicensed carrier according to theinformation about time; the receiving end determining a schedulingpolicy of subordinate UE according to the information about time; whenthe receiving end needs to use the unlicensed carrier, determining thatthe unlicensed carrier is not used by other base stations according tothe information about time, or the unlicensed carrier is used by otherbase stations but the use of the unlicensed carrier by the receiving endis not influenced; and under a situation that the receiving end receivesinformation about time, forwarded by subordinate UE or a small cell,that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by a proximal base station, thereceiving end determining whether a beamforming technology is used forthe UE or the small cell to transmit data according to the informationabout time.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the receivingend monitoring the DCI/UCI information of the unlicensed carriercomprises: under a situation that the receiving end is a base station,the receiving end respectively performing synchronization at differentlicensed frequency points and acquiring a cell identity of the sendingend which sends the DCI; and the receiving end receiving a PhysicalControl Format Indicator Channel, PCFICH, and a Physical DownlinkControl Channel, PDCCH, according to the cell identity, or not receivingthe PCFICH but directly receiving an Enhanced PDCCH, ePDCCH, to acquirethe DCI; or under a situation that the receiving end is UE, thereceiving end respectively performing synchronization at differentlicensed frequency points and acquiring a cell identity of the sendingend which sends the DCI; and the receiving end receiving a PCFICH and aPDCCH according to the cell identity, or not receiving the PCFICH butdirectly receiving an ePDCCH to acquire the DCI, and informing a basestation, to which the UE belongs, about the DCI through UCI or RadioResource Control, RRC, signaling; or wherein the receiving endmonitoring the DCI information of the unlicensed carrier comprises: thereceiving end receiving a Primary Synchronization Signal, PSS,/Secondary Synchronization Signal, SSS, and a Physical BroadcastChannel, PBCH, of a sending-end base station, and then receiving aPCFICH and a PDCCH/ePDCCH; or the receiving end being synchronized withan licensed carrier; the receiving end determining a location of the DCIsent in the unlicensed carrier according to timing of the licensedcarrier; and the receiving end receiving the DCI information accordingto the location of the DCI.
 11. The method according to claim 8, whereinthe receiving end monitoring the DCI information of the unlicensedcarrier comprises: the receiving end receiving the information abouttime on a PDCCH/ePDCCH of the unlicensed carrier or on an agreedresource according to an agreed DCI format; or wherein the receiving endmonitoring the DCI/UCI information of the unlicensed carrier comprises:if the receiving end receives the DCI/UCI information in an uplinkcarrier of the unlicensed carrier, determining that the DCI/UCIinformation describes information about time that the unlicensed carrieris occupied by other base stations proximal to the sending end.
 12. Themethod according to claim 8, wherein the receiving end monitoring theDCI/UCI information of the unlicensed carrier comprises: the receivingend determining an occupation situation of the unlicensed carrier in amode of monitoring the DCI/UCI information subframe by subframe in theunlicensed carrier; or after other stations occupy a first subframe ofthe unlicensed carrier to receive the DCI/UCI information to obtain theinformation about time that the unlicensed carrier is occupied, thereceiving end not monitoring the DCI information until occupation of theunlicensed carrier is ended.
 13. An apparatus for sending informationlocated at a sending end, comprising: a description module configured touse DCI/UCI information to describe information about time that anunlicensed carrier is occupied; and a sending module configured to sendthe DCI/UCI information through an licensed carrier or the unlicensedcarrier; wherein the sending module is configured to use the DCIinformation to describe the information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied by means of at least one of the following: using aPDCCH in first one, two, three or four OFDM symbols of a subframe tobear the information about time; using a PDCCH in an OFDM symbol of asecond slot of a subframe to bear the information about time; and usinga preset resource location of a subframe to bear the information abouttime; or wherein the sending module is further configured to indicate alocation for bearing the information about time through a PCFICHchannel; or wherein under a situation that the sending end is a basestation, the sending module is configured to use an ePDCCH channel in aPhysical Resource Block, PRB, at an agreed carrier location to send theDCI; and wherein the sending module is configured to indicate, in acurrent subframe, whether a next subframe will be used by the sendingend.
 14. An apparatus for receiving information located at a receivingend, comprising: a monitoring module configured to monitor DCI/UCIinformation of an unlicensed carrier, wherein the DCI/UCI information isused by the receiving end to acquire information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied by a proximal sending end; wherein themonitoring module is configured to monitor the DCI/UCI information ofthe unlicensed carrier by means of at least one of the following:acquiring the information about time through a PDCCH in first one, two,three or four OFDM symbols of a subframe; acquiring the informationabout time through a PDCCH in an OFDM symbol of a second slot of asubframe; and acquiring the information about time borne at a presetresource location of a subframe; or wherein the monitoring module isfurther configured to be indicated a location for bearing theinformation about time through a PCFICH channel by the proximal sendingend; or wherein under a situation that the proximal sending end is abase station, the monitoring module is configured to monitor the DCIinformation, sent from the proximal sending end, using an ePDCCH channelin a Physical Resource Block, PRB, at an agreed carrier location; andwherein the monitoring module is configured to be indicated, in acurrent subframe, whether a next subframe will be used by the proximalsending end.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein themonitoring module comprises: an acquisition unit configured to, under asituation that the receiving end is a base station, respectively performsynchronization at different licensed frequency points and acquire acell identity of the sending end which sends the DCI; and the receivingend receives a Physical Control Format Indicator Channel, PCFICH, and aPhysical Downlink Control Channel, PDCCH, according to the cellidentity, or not receive the PCFICH but directly receive an EnhancedPDCCH, ePDCCH, to acquire the DCI; or under a situation that thereceiving end is UE, respectively perform synchronization at differentlicensed frequency points and acquire a cell identity of the sending endwhich sends the DCI; and the receiving end receives a PCFICH and a PDCCHaccording to the cell identity, or not receive the PCFICH but directlyreceive an ePDCCH to acquire the DCI, and inform a base station, towhich the UE belongs, about the DCI through UCI or Radio ResourceControl, RRC, signaling.
 16. The method according to claim 8, whereinthe information about time is described by taking a subframe as a unit,or described by taking an OFDM symbol as a unit or described by taking aslot as a unit.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the DCIinformation is used to describe information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied by the sending end; or, the DCI/UCIinformation is used to describe information about time that theunlicensed carrier is occupied by other sending ends.
 18. The apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the information about time is describedby taking a subframe as a unit, or described by taking an OFDM symbol asa unit or described by taking a slot as a unit.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein the information about time is describedby taking a subframe as a unit, or described by taking an OFDM symbol asa unit or described by taking a slot as a unit.
 20. A method for sendinginformation, comprising: a sending end using Downlink ControlInformation, DCI, / Uplink Control Information, UCI, to describeinformation about time that an unlicensed carrier is occupied; and thesending end sending the DCI/UCI information through a licensed carrieror the unlicensed carrier; wherein the information about time isdescribed by taking a subframe as a unit, or described by taking an OFDMsymbol as a unit or described by taking a slot as a unit; wherein theinformation about time is described by taking the subframe as the unit,or described by taking the OFDM symbol as the unit or described bytaking the slot as the unit comprises: the information about timedescribing a subframe, an OFDM symbol or a slot which will be occupiedby the sending end or other sending ends, wherein the information abouttime describing the subframe which will be occupied by the sending endor other sending ends comprises at least one of the following: theinformation about time describing that a plurality of continuoussubframes starting from a current subframe are occupied; and theinformation about time describing patterns of subframes which will beoccupied.
 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the sending endusing the DCI/UCI information to describe the information about timethat the unlicensed carrier is occupied comprises one of the following:the sending end using the DCI information to describe information abouttime that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by the sending end; and thesending end using the DCI/UCI information to describe information abouttime that the unlicensed carrier is occupied by other sending ends. 22.The method according to claim 20, wherein the sending end using the DCIinformation to describe the information about time that the unlicensedcarrier is occupied comprises: the sending end using the DCI informationaccording to a preset DCI format to bear the information about time thatthe unlicensed carrier is occupied, wherein the preset DCI formatcomprises at least one of the following: DCI format 3, 3A, 1C and a DCIformat corresponding to a unique bit number.
 23. The method according toclaim 20, wherein the sending end sending the DCI/UCI informationthrough the licensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier comprises: thesending end using an agreed Radio Network Temporary Identifier, RNTI, toscramble the DCI information, and sending the DCI information in acommon search space of a PDCCH/ePDCCH or in an agreed resource.
 24. Anapparatus for sending information located at a sending end, comprising:a description module configured to use DCI/UCI information to describeinformation about time that an unlicensed carrier is occupied; and asending module configured to send the DCI/UCI information through anlicensed carrier or the unlicensed carrier; wherein the informationabout time is described by taking a subframe as a unit, or described bytaking an OFDM symbol as a unit or described by taking a slot as a unit,wherein the information about time being described by taking thesubframe as the unit, or described by taking the OFDM symbol as the unitor described by taking the slot as the unit comprises: the informationabout time describing a subframe, an OFDM symbol or a slot which will beoccupied by the sending end or other sending ends, wherein theinformation about time describing the subframe which will be occupied bythe sending end or other sending ends comprises at least one of thefollowing: the information about time describing that a plurality ofcontinuous subframes starting from a current subframe are occupied; andthe information about time describing patterns of subframes which willbe occupied.